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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

The distribution of warm dust in the star forming region Cepheus A: Infrared constraints

We have obtained new, high angular resolution far-infrared (FIR) maps (at 50 and 100 microns) of the star forming region Cepheus A and polarimetric images (1.65 and 2.2 microns) of the reflection nebulosity, IRS6, associated with this young stellar object. Our results are consistent with current star formation theories: a young stellar object surrounded by an infalling envelope with a characteristic density distribution of n(sub d)(r) proportional to r(exp -1.5), a circumstellar disk, and a cavity (R(sub i) approx. 0.07 pc) in which n(sub d) is constant, created by the dispersal of the initial dust cloud by a strong stellar wind.

Colome, Cecilia↗
DOE OSTI2022

ATHENA detector proposal—a totally hermetic electron nucleus apparatus proposed for IP6 at the Electron-Ion Collider

ATHENA has been designed as a general purpose detector capable of delivering the full scientific scope of the Electron-Ion Collider. Careful technology choices provide fine tracking and momentum resolution, high performance electromagnetic and hadronic calorimetry, hadron identification over a wide kinematic range, and near-complete hermeticity. This article describes the detector design and its expected performance in the most relevant physics channels. It includes an evaluation of detector technology choices, the technical challenges to realizing the detector and the R&D required to meet those challenges.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1996

Radar Observations of Asteroid 1620 Geographos

Goldstone radar observations of Geographos from August 28 through September 2, 1994 yield over 400 delay-Doppler images whose linear spatial resolutions range from approximately 75 - 151 m, and 138 pairs of dual-polarization (OC, SC) spectra with one-dimensional resolution of 103 m. Each data type provides thorough rotational coverage. The images contain an intrinsic north/south ambiguity, but the equatorial view allows accurate determination of the shape of the radar-facing part of the asteroid's pole-on silhouette at any rotation phase. Sums of co-registered images that cover nearly a full rotation have defined the extremely elongated shape of that silhouette (S. J. Ostro, K. D. Rosema, R. S. Hudson, R. F. Jurgens, J. D. Giorgini, R. Winkler, D. K. Yeomans, D. Choate, R. Rose, M. A. Slade, S. D. Howard, and D. L. Mitchell 1995, Nature 375, 474-477). Here we present individual images and co-registered sums over approximately 30 deg of rotation phase that show the silhouette's structural characteristics in finer detail and also reveal numerous contrast features "inside" the silhouette. Those features include several candidate craters as well as indications of other sorts of large-scale topographic relief, including a prominent central indentation. Protuberances at the asteroid's ends may be related to the pattern of ejecta removal and deposition caused by the asteroid's gravity field. The asteroid's surface is homogeneous and displays only modest roughness at centimeter-to-meter scales. Our estimates of radar cross section and the currently available constraints on the asteroid's dimensions are consistent with a near-surface bulk density between 2 and 3 g/cc. The delay-Doppler trajectory of Geographos' center of mass has been determined to about 200 m on August 28 and to about 100 m on August 31, an improvement of two orders of magnitude over pre-observation ephemerides.

Ostro, Steven J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Considerations of technology transfer barriers in the modification of strategic superalloys for aircraft turbine engines

A typical innovation-to-commercialization process for the development of a new hot section gas turbine material requires one to two decades with attendant costs in the tens of millions of dollars. This transfer process is examined to determine the potential rate-controlling steps for introduction of future low strategic metal content alloys or processes. Case studies are used to highlight the barriers to commercialization as well as to identify the means by which these barriers can be surmounted. The opportunities for continuing joint government-university-industry partnerships in planning and conducting strategic materials R&D programs are also discussed.

Stephens, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Advanced Propulsion Systems Study for General Aviation Aircraft

This study defines a family of advanced technology Stratified Charge Rotary Engines (SCRE) appropriate for the enablement of the development of a new generation of general aviation aircraft. High commonality, affordability, and environmental compatibility are considerations influencing the family composition and ratings. The SCRE family is comprised of three engines in the 70 Series (40 cu in. displacement per rotor), i.e. one, two, and four rotor and two engines in the 170 Series (105 cu in. displacement per rotor), i.e., two and four rotor. The two rotor engines are considered the primary engines in each series. A wide power range is considered covering 125 to 2500 HP through growth and compounding/dual pac considerations. Mission requirements, TBO, FAA Certification, engine development cycles, and costs are examined. Comparisons to current and projected reciprocating and turbine engine configurations in the 125 to 1000 HP class are provided. Market impact, estimated sales, and U.S. job creation (R&D, manufacturing and infractures) are examined.

Mount, R.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Measurement of Insulation Compaction in the Cryogenic Fuel Tanks at Kennedy Space Center by Fast/Thermal Neutron Techniques

The liquid hydrogen and oxygen cryogenic storage tanks at John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) use expanded perlite as thermal insulation. Th ere is evidence that some of the perlite has compacted over time, com promising the thermal performance and possibly also structural integr ity of the tanks. Therefore an Non-destructive Testing (NDT) method for measuring the perlite density or void fraction is urgently needed. Methods based on neutrons are good candidates because they can readil y penetrate through the 1.75 cm outer steel shell and through the ent ire 120 cm thickness of the perlite zone. Neutrons interact with the nuclei of materials to produce characteristic gamma rays which are the n detected. The gamma ray signal strength is proportional to the atom ic number density. Consequently, if the perlite is compacted then the count rates in the individual peaks in the gamma ray spectrum will i ncrease. Perlite is a feldspathic volcanic rock made up of the major elements Si, AI, Na, K and 0 along with some water. With commercially available portable neutron generators it is possible to produce simul taneously fluxes of neutrons in two energy ranges: fast (14 MeV) and thermal (25 meV). Fast neutrons produce gamma rays by inelastic scatt ering which is sensitive to Fe and O. Thermal neutrons produce gamma rays by radiative capture in prompt gamma neutron activation (PGNA) and this is sensitive to Si, AI, Na, Kand H. Thus the two energy ranges produce complementary information. The R&D program has three phases: numerical simulations of neutron and gamma ray transport with MCNP s oftware, evaluation of the system in the laboratory on test articles and finally mapping of the perlite density in the cryogenic tanks at KSC. The preliminary MCNP calculations have shown that the fast/therma l neutron NDT method is capable of distinguishing between expanded an d compacted perlite with excellent statistics.

Livingston, R. A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Recoil imaging for dark matter, neutrinos, and physics beyond the Standard Model

Recoil imaging entails the detection of spatially resolved ionization tracks generated by particle interactions. This is a highly sought-after capability in many classes of detector, with broad applications across particle and astroparticle physics. However, at low energies, where ionization signatures are small in size, recoil imaging only seems to be a practical goal for micro-pattern gas detectors. This white paper outlines the physics case for recoil imaging, and puts forward a decadal plan to advance towards the directional detection of low-energy recoils with sensitivity and resolution close to fundamental performance limits. The science case covered includes: the discovery of dark matter into the neutrino fog, directional detection of sub-MeV solar neutrinos, the precision study of coherent-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, the detection of solar axions, the measurement of the Migdal effect, X-ray polarimetry, and several other applied physics goals. We also outline the R&D programs necessary to test concepts that are crucial to advance detector performance towards their fundamental limit: single primary electron sensitivity with full 3D spatial resolution at the $\sim$100 micron-scale. These advancements include: the use of negative ion drift, electron counting with high-definition electronic readout, time projection chambers with optical readout, and the possibility for nuclear recoil tracking in high-density gases such as argon. We also discuss the readout and electronics systems needed to scale-up such detectors to the ton-scale and beyond.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measurement of beam-correlated background neutrons from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam in ANNIE Phase-I (Final Technical Report)

The Accelerator Neutrino Neutron Interaction Experiment (ANNIE) aims to make a unique measurement of neutron yield from neutrino-nucleus interactions and to perform R&D for the next generation of water-based neutrino detectors. In this paper, we characterize beam-induced neutron backgrounds in the experimental hall at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. It is shown that the background levels are sufficiently low to allow the next stage of the experiment to proceed. These measurements are relevant to other Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) experiments located adjacent to ANNIE Hall, where dirt neutrons and sky-shine could present similar backgrounds.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measurement of Beam-Correlated Background Neutrons from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam in ANNIE Phase-I

The Accelerator Neutrino Neutron Interaction Experiment (ANNIE) aims to make a unique measurement of neutron yield from neutrino-nucleus interactions and to perform R&D for the next generation of water-based neutrino detectors. In this paper, we characterize beam-induced neutron backgrounds in the experimental hall at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. It is shown that the background levels are sufficiently low to allow the next stage of the experiment to proceed. These measurements are relevant to other Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) [1] experiments located adjacent to ANNIE Hall, where dirt neutrons and sky-shine could present similar backgrounds.

Particle identification methods↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scalable Skipper-CCD Analog Readout Electronics (SSCARE) for the Massive Multichannel OSCURA Experiment

We present a multiplexed analog readout electronics system for Skipper-CCDs based on the MIDNA ASIC. It allows for subelectron noise-level operation while maintaining a minimal number of acquisition channels. In addition, it requires low-disk storage and low-bandwidth data transfer with zero added multiplexing time during the simultaneous operation of thousands of channels. We describe the implementation of such a system in a new instrument composed by 16 sensors operated with a two-stage analog multiplexed readout scheme. The instrument is a part of the R&D effort of the OSCURA experiment.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Space Station Payload Adaptation System

The development and design of a system of containers for the efficient integration of Space Station payloads is described called the Space Station Payload Adaptation System (SSPAS). The SSPAS was developed to address the incorporation of multiple payloads, the use of a small payload carrier, large numbers of samples, and on-orbit servicing. SSPAS subsystems such as the Spacelab rack are modular and designed for integration into the 'Quick Is Beautiful' (QIB) facility. The QIB is designed to provide access to space for small- and medium-sized microgravity research projects and proof-of-concept investigations. The power-distribution and heat-rejection potential of the QIB are described, and an improved experiment-apparatus container is proposed. The SSPAS rack-mounting and container concepts are concluded to make up an efficent system that can effectively exploit the R&D potential of the Space Station.

Taylor, Kenneth R.↗
NASA NTRS1996

New Approaches to HSCT Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization

The successful development of a capable and economically viable high speed civil transport (HSCT) is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks in aeronautics for the next two decades. At its heart it is fundamentally the design of a complex engineered system that has significant societal, environmental and political impacts. As such it presents a formidable challenge to all areas of aeronautics, and it is therefore a particularly appropriate subject for research in multidisciplinary design and optimization (MDO). In fact, it is starkly clear that without the availability of powerful and versatile multidisciplinary design, analysis and optimization methods, the design, construction and operation of im HSCT simply cannot be achieved. The present research project is focused on the development and evaluation of MDO methods that, while broader and more general in scope, are particularly appropriate to the HSCT design problem. The research aims to not only develop the basic methods but also to apply them to relevant examples from the NASA HSCT R&D effort. The research involves a three year effort aimed first at the HSCT MDO problem description, next the development of the problem, and finally a solution to a significant portion of the problem.

Schrage, D. P.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Accelerators for Rare Processes and Physics Beyond Colliders: Report of the AF5 Topical Group to Snowmass 2021

This report summarizes the findings of the AF5 Topical Subgroup to Snowmass 2021, which investigated accelerators for rare processes and physics beyond colliders. The report focuses primarily on opportunities for dark sector searches and the need for coordinated development of the Fermilab experimental program for PIP-II and beyond. In addition, a number of other physics opportunities are cataloged and suggestions for synergistic R&D opportunities with various areas of technological development are discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optimization of a single module of CUPID

CUPID is the next generation experiment which will use scintillating cryogenic calorimeters to search for the neutrinoless double β decay. This unobserved process would shed light on the nature of the neutrino, which up to our knowledge could be a Majorana or a Dirac particle, and would give us an important hint to explain the lack of antimatter in the universe. This ambitious search needs a detector with unique characteristics such as an extremely low background level and an excellent energy resolution. CUPID is now in advanced R&D state to optimize the detector design in order to completely exploit the potentialities of scintillating cryogenic calorimeters. In the following I will describe the test performed at the LNGS (Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso) of a single module of the future CUPID detector. In this contribution we present the performance obtained with a novel assembly concept, proving that it matches the requirements for CUPID.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS2022

HD 28109 Hosts A Trio of Transiting Neptunian Planets Including A Near-Resonant Pair, Confirmed By ASTEP From Antarctica

We report on the discovery and characterization of three planets orbiting the F8 star HD 28109, which sits comfortably in TESS ’s continuous viewing zone. The two outer planets have periods of 56 . 0067 ±0 . 0003 d and 84 . 2597 + 0 . 0010 −0 . 0008 d, which implies a period ratio very close to that of the first-order 3:2 mean motion resonance, exciting transit timing variations (TTVs) of up to 60 min. These two planets were first identified by TESS , and we identified a third planet in the TESS photometry with a period of 22 . 8911 ±0 . 0004 d. We confirm the planetary nature of all three planetary candidates using ground-based photometry from Hazelwood , ASTEP , and LCO , including a full detection of the ∼9 h transit of HD 28109 c from Antarctica. The radii of the three planets are R b = 2 . 199 + 0 . 098 −0 . 10 R ⊕, R c = 4 . 23 ±0 . 11 R ⊕, and R d = 3 . 25 ±0 . 11 R ⊕; we characterize their masses using TTVs and precise radial velocities from ESPRESSO and HARPS, and find them to be M b = 18 . 5 + 9 . 1 −7 . 6 M ⊕, M c = 7 . 9 + 4 . 2 −3 . 0 M ⊕, and M d = 5 . 7 + 2 . 7 −2 . 1 M ⊕, making planet b a dense, massive planet while c and d are both underdense. We also demonstrate that the two outer planets are ripe for atmospheric characterization using transmission spectroscopy, especially given their position in the CVZ of James Webb Space Telescope . The data obtained to date are consistent with resonant (librating) and non-resonant (circulating) solutions; additional observations will show whether the pair is actually locked in resonance or just near-resonant.

Georgina Dransfield↗
DOE OSTI2021

The upgrade of the ALICE TPC with GEMs and continuous readout

The upgrade of the ALICE TPC will allow the experiment to cope with the high interaction rates foreseen for the forthcoming Run 3 and Run 4 at the CERN LHC. In this article, we describe the design of new readout chambers and front-end electronics, which are driven by the goals of the experiment. Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors arranged in stacks containing four GEMs each, and continuous readout electronics based on the SAMPA chip, an ALICE development, are replacing the previous elements. The construction of these new elements, together with their associated quality control procedures, is explained in detail. Finally, the readout chamber and front-end electronics cards replacement, together with the commissioning of the detector prior to installation in the experimental cavern, are presented. After a nine-year period of R&D, construction, and assembly, the upgrade of the TPC was completed in 2020.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Commissioning of SRF Cavity Analyzer System

Research and development in Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities manufacturing, surface treatment, preparation, and doping techniques for the improvement of cavities performance necessitate reliable cavities’ intrinsic quality factor measurement with accurate and repeatable results. Fermilab Vertical Test Stand facility (VTS) performs ~270 cavities tests per year, including R&D cavities as well as production cavities at each step of their preparation for the placement in accelerator’s cryomodules. Current Fermilab VTS testing system is based on the scalar approach of power measurement, which neglects potential error factors of the RF networks with distributed parameters, hence the assessed measurement errors of such a system might be slightly underestimated. Alternative approach, utilizing a vector measurement (amplitude and phase) of RF signals in the setup with a cavity as a device under test, promises an enhanced accuracy and results traceability. New cavity an alyser system based on this approach (Vector VTS) was developed by D. Frolov et al. and currently undergoes a commissioning process. Basic underlying principles of the system will be presented with the methods of quality factor extraction from S-parameters measurement of multiport cavities and brief error analysis will be discussed. The system architecture will be shown with main components parameters and ensuing testing capabilities. Multiple tests results will be discussed with a cross-check comparison of the results obtained with a conventional testing method. System advantages such as automated calibration process and additional features as a built- in microphonics measurement capability will be presented.

Netepenko, A.↗